Meet the WVT Team
Charles Warren
WVT Co-Founder & Owner Charles Warren was raised in Atlanta, GA where he currently resides. Charles graduated Class of 2015 from Sewanee: University of the South where he majored in Economics with a minor in Business Management. Since graduation, Charles spent almost 3 years with Cushman & Wakefield in Project Consulting before leaving to pursue a career in the Fly Fishing and Corporate Real Estate/Outdoor Photography industries. Charles began guiding trips and shooting photos with the world class FlyShopCo team (Instagram: @flyshopco) out of Blue Ridge, GA in 2018. Additional guiding experiences include the Orvis-Endorsed, Condenast Travel USA Top 5 Resort "C Lazy U Ranch"; Orvis-Endsorsed outfitter service FlyFishingOutfitters (Orvis Guide Service of the Year) in Vail, Co, where he guided and managed marketing, and also works as the marketing coordinator at Warren Hanks Construction Company. Charles has also shot professional fishing and hunting photography for companies such as Gore-Tex, Orvis, Fishpond and Field & Stream, to name a few. Outside of fishing, Charles enjoys playing shows around the Southeast with his band and playing golf with his dad every chance he gets. Charles' passion for giving high class, unforgettable fishing experiences is what led to his desire to found Wood Valley Travel.
Spain Short
Also calling Atlanta, GA home is guide and travel host, Spain Short. Spain is a graduate of The Westminster Schools and The University of Georgia, currently living in Jackson Hole, WY. Spain has guided with Teton Valley Lodge in Jackson (recently celebrating their 101st birthday) for the past four years and also holds a position with Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates. Spain is acknowledged by a large number of clients as curating the most fun and memorable days they have ever spent with a fishing guide. Spain specializes in freshwater trout within the US, which drives his passion for anadromous fish and international waters. Spain's next hosted trip will be to southern Argentina in Spring, 2021 (Covid-pending). To see his highlight reel, find Spain on instagram (@sqain) or @tetonvalleylodge.
Christopher Morris
Chris Morris is a 15-Year veteran guide and steward of the famed South Holston and Watauga Rivers. Residing in Boone, NC and a graduate of Appalachian State University, Chris is the most knowledgeable of anyone on the team about East Coast Trout fishing. Chris' wealth of knowledge of the way freshwater trout feed and interact with their fishery makes him our education leader - hosting a variety of trips while facilitating various technical education-based trips and clinics. Chris is currently a guide with Trophy Water Guide Service and HRA.
Joe Irby
Based in Birmingham, AL, Joe Irby comes to us with a wealth of guiding knowledge and travel experience. After graduating from Sewanee: University of the South, Joe went on to spend several years in Jackson Hole, WY. Joe has a strong passion for showing new anglers the beauty of the Teton Valley and Alaskan fisheries. Joe will lead most of his trips in the summer months, hosting our Wyoming/Idaho locations as well as Alaska, Patagonia/Greater Argentina & the Bahamas.
Ben Kalter
Ben Kalter was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. Ben attended Sewanee in Tennessee where he played on the golf team and majored in economics. Ben started fly fishing in high school for bass and blue fill in the Texas hill country but attending Sewanee really turned his hobby of fly fishing into a passion. He has guided in The Jackson Hole area, the Texas hill country, and Alaska- all for mainly trout. Ben now works in the real estate industry as a multifamily investment sales agent and enjoys playing golf and fly fishing with his clients. Bens favorite fish to target is a trout and he has fished for them in MT, WY, CO, NM, TN, NC, ME, VA, TX, and AK. Ben likes to fish anytime he can and as of late he has been salt water fly fishing for redfish and trout in LA and TX.
Ben is part time with us and will
help us with business development and hosting trips. His bucket list fish are tarpon and golden dorado.
Why Wood Valley?
Spain and Charles grew up on the same street in Atlanta - Wood Valley Road - and spent their childhood connected through sports and the outdoors. They both developed an enormous passion for learning the details of fly fishing and how to translate that into sharing that passion with others. Spain and Charles understand through previous work experience what a 5-Star, top of the line fly fishing or hunting experience entails. Both have studied from some of the finest resorts and lodges in the world, driving their desire to curate perfectly orchestrated, detail-oriented experiences for WVT clients. Guest comfort, accommodations and travel experiences to and from the trip destination are given the highest level of attention throughout your time with the WVT team.
Spain and Charles have a connected energy that makes your trip experience something truly special. We guarantee that as you scroll through the professionally shot photos of your past week's trip, you won't soon forget the memories made on an adventure hosted by the Wood Valley team.